Tia Carrere: Biography, Movies, and What She’s Doing Now

There’s something magnetic about someone who can hold a guitar, win a Grammy, and still make you laugh as a rock star girlfriend from the 90s. Tia Carrere did all that and more—she just never stopped. From her breakout in Wayne’s World to two Grammy Awards for Hawaiian music, Carrere’s career is a study in surprising longevity. Here’s where she’s been and where she’s heading.

Born: January 2, 1967 ·
Place of birth: Honolulu, Hawaii ·
Occupation: Actress, singer ·
Grammy Awards: 2 ·
Notable role: Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter ·
Most famous film: Wayne’s World (1992)

Ten key facts paint a clear picture of Carrere’s life and career.

What ever happened to Tia Carrere?

Recent projects and appearances

• Carrere voiced Nani in the original Lilo & Stitch (2002) and is set to reprise the role in Disney’s live-action remake scheduled for 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes (celebrity profile)).
• She made a guest appearance on the series Hawaii Five-0 in 2019 (IMDb).
• Her official website describes her as actively working in the 2020s (Tia Carrere official site).

Social media activity

• Carrere maintains an Instagram account with over 259,000 followers where she shares career updates and personal moments.
• She has not publicly posted about any new film or TV projects beyond Lilo & Stitch as of mid-2025.

Carrere’s 2025 return as Nani positions her for a new wave of mainstream visibility, but her career has always been more than nostalgia—she has Grammy wins to prove it.

What ethnicity is Tia Carrere?

Ancestry breakdown

• Carrere is of Hawaiian, Filipino, Spanish, and Chinese descent, according to multiple entertainment biographies (IMDb biography and Mixed Asian Media).
• In a 2022 interview with People, she recalled Hollywood casting directors saying she was too “ethnic” for roles, reflecting industry barriers for Asian American actors.

Hawaiian upbringing

• She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii (Tia Carrere official site).
• Growing up in a multi-ethnic environment shaped her later music career, leading to two Grammy-winning Hawaiian albums.

“They didn’t know what to do with me. I was too ethnic for some roles, not ethnic enough for others.”

Tia Carrere, speaking to People (entertainment magazine) in 2022

Carrere’s multi-ethnic background gave her a unique edge in Hawaiian music but also led to typecasting in Hollywood. Her Grammy wins in that niche suggest an alternative success path outside mainstream film.

For further reading on mixed-heritage representation in media, see our guide: Princess Jasmine Ethnicity: Arabian or Indian Explained.

Why did Tia Carrere change her name?

Birth name

• Her birth name is Althea Rae Duhinio Janairo (Wikipedia).

Stage name origin

• She adopted “Tia” from a childhood nickname given by her grandmother.
• “Carrere” was chosen as a stage surname; the exact reason is not publicly detailed but is common in entertainment for memorability.

The implication: Carrere crafted a stage identity that was distinct from her family name while keeping a personal touch. This is a pattern among performers who want a clean break from their birth identity without erasing it entirely.

Is Tia Carrere still married?

Marriage to Simon Wakelin

• She married film producer Simon Wakelin in 2002 (Wikipedia).

Divorce and current status

• The couple divorced in 2010.
• As of 2025, Carrere is not remarried and has no children.

Bottom line: Carrere’s marriage ended over a decade ago. She has not publicly discussed subsequent relationships. For those asking, she is currently single with no children.

What movies and TV shows has Tia Carrere appeared in?

Film highlights: Wayne’s World, True Lies, Showdown in Little Tokyo

• She played Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World (1992), her breakthrough role (Rotten Tomatoes).
• She portrayed Juno Skinner in James Cameron’s True Lies (1994) opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger (IMDb).
• She co-starred in Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) with Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee.

Television: Relic Hunter and guest roles

• She starred as Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter (1999–2002), a syndicated adventure series that ran for three seasons (Wikipedia).
• She made guest appearances on shows including Hawaii Five-0, True Lies (TV series), and The O.C..

Voice work: Lilo & Stitch franchise

• She voiced Nani in the original Lilo & Stitch (2002) and subsequent sequels, spin-offs, and video games.
• She returns as Nani in the 2025 live-action adaptation (Rotten Tomatoes).

Music career: Grammy-winning albums

• Carrere released Hawaiian music albums including Huana Ke Aloha, which won the Grammy for Best Hawaiian Music Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (GRAMMY.com (awards coverage)).
• She has four Grammy nominations total and two wins (GRAMMY.com (artist page)).

“An accomplished actress in motion pictures and television and a two-time Grammy Award-winning musical artist.”

Tia Carrere official website (artist biography)

Timeline: Tia Carrere’s career milestones

• 1967: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii (Wikipedia)
• 1985: First television role on Cover Up (IMDb filmography)
• 1992: Breakthrough role as Cassandra Wong in Wayne’s World
• 1994: Played Juno Skinner in True Lies
• 1999–2002: Starred as Sydney Fox in Relic Hunter
• 2002: Voiced Nani in Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
• 2003–2008: Released Hawaiian music albums; won two Grammy Awards (GRAMMY.com)
• 2025: Reprised role of Nani in live-action Lilo & Stitch

For fans wondering whether Carrere is still relevant, the answer is clear: she’s about to introduce a new generation to Nani, and that legacy is only growing. For Hollywood casting directors, the message is that multi-ethnic talent with proven vocal and dramatic range remains an undervalued asset.